Shelters in the Harrisburg area are expressing concern over the growing number of homeless.

Homeless officials said the homeless problem has not improved.

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On any given night 650 homeless were in the Harrisburg area alone and experts said the true number may actually be more than 800.

"The worst thing that could happen is somebody would lose their life trying to tough it out because they don't feel like they have a place to go," said Bethesda Mission Executive Director Chuck Wingate.

Wingate said he fears this scenario could happen with some many homeless in the Greater Harrisburg Area at this time.

"There has been a 40 percent increase in the number of homeless over the last five years," Wingate said. "It's created a strain on the shelters and every sort of function that's trying to serve homeless people."

About 85 homeless men are in the Bethesda Mission and 15 to 20 homeless in the women's shelter.

Wingate said believes another 30 or so homeless will seek shelter before the end of this week. He believes hundreds will still be on the streets even as the cold weather sets in.

"We've got to move on this, the fact is there's so many homeless around. What we might have done two or three weeks from now, we need to do now to get ready for greater numbers," Wingate said. "It's not just a matter when you're homeless of getting through the night, because the sun comes up and you're still on the street. It's a pretty brutal existence."

The mission has been getting calls from some businesses in the area who are noticing more homeless gathering on or near their buildings.

Wingate said not helping the homeless is not an option, but this year he believes could be their biggest challenge.

"I think it's going to be a rough year. The numbers we're seeing now concern me a lot. And the fact is with the greater numbers of homeless people clamoring for services, I think we're going to have a very busy winter," Wingate said.